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- steelmoney
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50 years of lebeau, another good read
by steelmoney » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:46 pm
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
TAMPA, Fla. -- Bring up the name Dick LeBeau in the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room and everyone has a glowing story to share.
"You ever seen a 71-year-old man do pushups every day in practice?" said Pittsburgh linebacker James Farrior about his defensive coordinator. "Not too much."
"He is one of the coolest guys you will ever meet," added Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden. "He's just so laid back."
"He appreciates the day," head coach Mike Tomlin said. "He appreciates the journey and he appreciates the process that is required to prepare to play."
LeBeau is beloved in Pittsburgh and has become an NFL icon during his 50 years as a player and coach. LeBeau is celebrating his golden anniversary with the Steelers in grand fashion as his team prepares to play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII.
LeBeau is the mastermind behind Pittsburgh's No. 1-ranked defense. During his 18 seasons as defensive coordinator, his units have ranked in the top 10 eight times and had an average finish of 13.6, despite several years with the struggling Cincinnati Bengals.
Still, modesty prevails for the longtime coach and potential Hall of Famer.
"The players get you to the Super Bowl," LeBeau said. "I'm the lucky guy that gets to call the game."
Ahead of the game
LeBeau's defenses
Dick LeBeau's defenses finished in the top 10 eight times, including seven years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Team Year Rank
Steelers 2008 1
Steelers 2007 1
Steelers 2006 9
Steelers 2005 4
Steelers 2004 1
Bengals 1999 25
Bengals 1998 28
Bengals 1997 28
Steelers 1996 2
Steelers 1995 3
Bengals 1991 28
Bengals 1990 25
Bengals 1989 15
Bengals 1988 15
Bengals 1987 8
Bengals 1986 20
Bengals 1985 22
Bengals 1984 13
LeBeau was defensive coordinator for three games in 2000 before being promoted to Bengals head coach.
Born Charles Richard LeBeau on Sept. 9, 1937, he was the son of an accountant. That influence plays heavily on LeBeau's mental makeup.
LeBeau charts everything and is very statistically driven. He attacks problems and offenses with the mind of a mathematician.
The secret to LeBeau's success? It lies within a numeric formula he devised 20-plus years ago.
LeBeau studied stats from the NFL's best defenses. He discovered that holding opponents to 3.7 yards per rush, 4.7 yards per snap and 5.7 yards per pass attempt would make for a top 10 defense every season.
The NFL game has changed dramatically, but LeBeau said these golden numbers have always held true, regardless of era.
"When I first started keeping track of this it amazed me how repetitive they were, despite the fact all the numbers with points scored went up, [and] the productivity of the offense went up," LeBeau said. "But the yards that you needed to be a successful defense really haven't changed that much."
LeBeau doesn't need to yell to motivate. His statistical approach allows him to challenge his players by setting meaningful goals through numbers. LeBeau's father-figure presence also creates a soft spot with players who do not want to let their defensive coordinator down.
"We all love the guy," Farrior said.
Many teams run variations of the 3-4 defense during the course of a game, but few have had the consistent success of LeBeau.
The "zone blitz" scheme that LeBeau devised confuses opponents because they have to identify the additional rushers on every down. While most blitzing teams play man-to-man defense, the Steelers' zoning also allows them to take away many hot reads offenses associate with beating a blitz.
Failure to recognize the zones could lead to interceptions, while holding the football too long against a blitz leads to quarterback sacks. The combination allowed Pittsburgh to record 51 sacks and 20 interceptions this season.
This revolutionary scheme has kept LeBeau several steps ahead of his competition. As proof of his longevity, LeBeau had a top-10 defense with the Bengals in 1987 and another this season, 21 years apart.
"[New England Patriots coach] Bill Belichick and Dick LeBeau are just way ahead of everybody else," said Keith Kidd of Scouts Inc. when asked about the league's best defensive minds. "I think you can start to put [New York Jets coach] Rex Ryan in that same category too."
Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is most impressed with how easily LeBeau can draw up concepts with a simple pencil and paper. Arians sees LeBeau's defenses in practice every day and notices a lot of LeBeau copycats in the NFL.
"To me it is the biggest compliment when you flip on the films and all of the other teams are doing his stuff," Arians said. "Next year, they will cut up all of the Pittsburgh films, and they will all be running these blitzes next year. But they don't really know why they put them there."
Final run?
Dick LeBeau player card
Team Years
Games INT Yds. Def. TDs Pro Bowls
Lions 1959-72 185 62 762 4* 3
*Three interception returns and one fumble return
Could this be the final game in LeBeau's legendary career?
There is some speculation that LeBeau may call it quits after 50 NFL seasons, though neither LeBeau nor the Steelers have given any indication of that happening. LeBeau, who is just five years younger than Steelers owner Dan Rooney Sr. (76), does admit age is a factor.
"It's a young man's job and I'm aware of that," LeBeau said. "I think my players will let me know when I'm too old. You'd have to ask them, but they haven't given me any indication.
"I like what I'm doing and I love the guys I'm doing it with. Health is always a factor and you have to be realistic. I don't know how you're supposed to feel at 71, but I feel good."
Following that statement, LeBeau provided a brief impromptu performance of the old James Brown classic.
His soul is still young.
Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dick LeBeau, James Farrior, Bryant McFadden, Mike Tomlin, Arizona Cardinals
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
TAMPA, Fla. -- Bring up the name Dick LeBeau in the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room and everyone has a glowing story to share.
"You ever seen a 71-year-old man do pushups every day in practice?" said Pittsburgh linebacker James Farrior about his defensive coordinator. "Not too much."
"He is one of the coolest guys you will ever meet," added Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden. "He's just so laid back."
"He appreciates the day," head coach Mike Tomlin said. "He appreciates the journey and he appreciates the process that is required to prepare to play."
LeBeau is beloved in Pittsburgh and has become an NFL icon during his 50 years as a player and coach. LeBeau is celebrating his golden anniversary with the Steelers in grand fashion as his team prepares to play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII.
LeBeau is the mastermind behind Pittsburgh's No. 1-ranked defense. During his 18 seasons as defensive coordinator, his units have ranked in the top 10 eight times and had an average finish of 13.6, despite several years with the struggling Cincinnati Bengals.
Still, modesty prevails for the longtime coach and potential Hall of Famer.
"The players get you to the Super Bowl," LeBeau said. "I'm the lucky guy that gets to call the game."
Ahead of the game
LeBeau's defenses
Dick LeBeau's defenses finished in the top 10 eight times, including seven years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Team Year Rank
Steelers 2008 1
Steelers 2007 1
Steelers 2006 9
Steelers 2005 4
Steelers 2004 1
Bengals 1999 25
Bengals 1998 28
Bengals 1997 28
Steelers 1996 2
Steelers 1995 3
Bengals 1991 28
Bengals 1990 25
Bengals 1989 15
Bengals 1988 15
Bengals 1987 8
Bengals 1986 20
Bengals 1985 22
Bengals 1984 13
LeBeau was defensive coordinator for three games in 2000 before being promoted to Bengals head coach.
Born Charles Richard LeBeau on Sept. 9, 1937, he was the son of an accountant. That influence plays heavily on LeBeau's mental makeup.
LeBeau charts everything and is very statistically driven. He attacks problems and offenses with the mind of a mathematician.
The secret to LeBeau's success? It lies within a numeric formula he devised 20-plus years ago.
LeBeau studied stats from the NFL's best defenses. He discovered that holding opponents to 3.7 yards per rush, 4.7 yards per snap and 5.7 yards per pass attempt would make for a top 10 defense every season.
The NFL game has changed dramatically, but LeBeau said these golden numbers have always held true, regardless of era.
"When I first started keeping track of this it amazed me how repetitive they were, despite the fact all the numbers with points scored went up, [and] the productivity of the offense went up," LeBeau said. "But the yards that you needed to be a successful defense really haven't changed that much."
LeBeau doesn't need to yell to motivate. His statistical approach allows him to challenge his players by setting meaningful goals through numbers. LeBeau's father-figure presence also creates a soft spot with players who do not want to let their defensive coordinator down.
"We all love the guy," Farrior said.
Many teams run variations of the 3-4 defense during the course of a game, but few have had the consistent success of LeBeau.
The "zone blitz" scheme that LeBeau devised confuses opponents because they have to identify the additional rushers on every down. While most blitzing teams play man-to-man defense, the Steelers' zoning also allows them to take away many hot reads offenses associate with beating a blitz.
Failure to recognize the zones could lead to interceptions, while holding the football too long against a blitz leads to quarterback sacks. The combination allowed Pittsburgh to record 51 sacks and 20 interceptions this season.
This revolutionary scheme has kept LeBeau several steps ahead of his competition. As proof of his longevity, LeBeau had a top-10 defense with the Bengals in 1987 and another this season, 21 years apart.
"[New England Patriots coach] Bill Belichick and Dick LeBeau are just way ahead of everybody else," said Keith Kidd of Scouts Inc. when asked about the league's best defensive minds. "I think you can start to put [New York Jets coach] Rex Ryan in that same category too."
Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is most impressed with how easily LeBeau can draw up concepts with a simple pencil and paper. Arians sees LeBeau's defenses in practice every day and notices a lot of LeBeau copycats in the NFL.
"To me it is the biggest compliment when you flip on the films and all of the other teams are doing his stuff," Arians said. "Next year, they will cut up all of the Pittsburgh films, and they will all be running these blitzes next year. But they don't really know why they put them there."
Final run?
Dick LeBeau player card
Team Years
Games INT Yds. Def. TDs Pro Bowls
Lions 1959-72 185 62 762 4* 3
*Three interception returns and one fumble return
Could this be the final game in LeBeau's legendary career?
There is some speculation that LeBeau may call it quits after 50 NFL seasons, though neither LeBeau nor the Steelers have given any indication of that happening. LeBeau, who is just five years younger than Steelers owner Dan Rooney Sr. (76), does admit age is a factor.
"It's a young man's job and I'm aware of that," LeBeau said. "I think my players will let me know when I'm too old. You'd have to ask them, but they haven't given me any indication.
"I like what I'm doing and I love the guys I'm doing it with. Health is always a factor and you have to be realistic. I don't know how you're supposed to feel at 71, but I feel good."
Following that statement, LeBeau provided a brief impromptu performance of the old James Brown classic.
His soul is still young.
Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dick LeBeau, James Farrior, Bryant McFadden, Mike Tomlin, Arizona Cardinals
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
Re: 50 years of lebeau, another good read
by McLovin » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:56 pm
Good article...fuels more speculation that it possibly could be Dick's last game. McLovin sure Farrior speaks for the whole defense when he says they love the guy. It doesn't hurt to have a little something extra to motivate you to play well just in case playing in the Super Bowl isn't enough
- thesteelhammer
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Re: 50 years of lebeau, another good read
by thesteelhammer » Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:27 pm
Dude is 71...
any game could be his last game.
any game could be his last game.
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